Michigan’s Mueller Recipient of David Toms Overcoming Adversity Award presented by the AJGA

NORMAN, Okla. – Kyle Mueller, a senior at Michigan, has been named recipient of the David Toms Overcoming Adversity Award presented by the AJGA.
On July 6, 2016, Mueller’s mother, Monica Mueller, was killed in a single-car accident while traveling to watch Kyle in an amateur golf tournament. She had originally planned to drive down with her husband at the end of the week, but decided to travel out late that evening as Kyle’s older brother was caddying for him that week.
Monica’s passing had a drastic impact on the Mueller family and the community in which they lived. A veterinarian, Monica founded Good Hands Veterinarian Hospital in 2001 and her passing impacted her clients, employees, veterinary students, and countless friends. Monica’s visitation was scheduled to last two hours, but due to the significant turnout of those that wished to pay their respects, it was lengthened to four-and-a-half hours. Even then, many people were unable to visit due to the lengthy wait. The memorial service was scheduled to be held at the family’s regularly attended church but was moved to a larger venue to accommodate the 800-1000 relatives, friends, and clients that wished to attend. The family still receives notes, cards, and calls describing the positive impact Monica had in their lives.
Although Mueller could have taken the rest of the summer to be with family, he eventually resumed his summer schedule. When he returned to Michigan that September to begin his junior year, he was a team leader in both word and action. While serving as a team leader, Mueller posted his best season at Michigan. He earned PING All-America recognition and was named All Big Ten First Team. Mueller won two events and broke his own school scoring record with 71.36. He was also a standout in the classroom, earning Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar and Academic All Big Ten honors.
Thus far his senior season, Mueller has led the Wolverines in three of their four events and with his worst showing 12th. Additionally, he set a school mark by shooting 63 and holds a season scoring average of 69.18. Mueller is scheduled to make his 42nd consecutive start for Michigan at the Big Ten Match Play Championships - not missing an event his entire career.
On a more personal level, the tragic loss of his mother helped Kyle to realize how individual actions can have positive impacts on he lives of others. He uses an acronym continually repeated by Monica - PACE - Positive Attitude Changes Everything. While the time since her passing has been difficult for the family, PACE has continually motivated Kyle to be the best version of himself.
“Since my mother’s passing I have become more cognizant of how my attitude and actions can influence someone’s life,” said Mueller. “While I always knew she was a wonderful mom and person, it was not until the weeks and months after her passing where I truly understood the type of positive impact she had on others. Thinking of my mother’s impression on those around her and her favorite acronym, PACE, continually motivates me to become the best version of myself in all aspects of my life. I am very honored to be this year’s recipient and hope that my story can positively impact others who may be dealing with a similar situation, much like my mother would have done.”
- GCAA -
About the AJGA:Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018, the American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 6,900 members from 50 states and 60 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade-adidas Golf became the AJGA’s National Sponsor in 2016 after more than 25 years of support. Rolex, which is in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2017, adidas joined the AJGA as a Premier Partner, serving as the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 900 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Stacy Lewis, Ariya Jutanugarn, Alison Lee, Lexi Thompson, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel.

NORMAN, Okla. – Scott Cartwright, Head Men’s Golf Coach at Cal Poly and a member of the Southern California PGA Section, has been named winner of the Labron Harris Sr. Award presented by the Golf Coaches Association of America in cooperation with The PGA of America. The Harris Award is presented to the college or high school coach and PGA Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of the game of golf and who represents the finest qualities the game has to offer.
“I am honored and humbled to be the 2017 Labron Harris Sr. Awards winner,” said Cartwright. “I like so many of my fellow PGA Members and GCAA Member are builders.... Builders of programs, builders of facilities, character builders, and builders of characters. To be recognized by my peers is quite fulfilling and I am very grateful. I have been fortunate to have been involved with so many great people both in the golf industry and outside the industry to help promote the Game of Golf. Thanks to the many PGA Members who aided in opening doors for new programs to develop. I will certainly strive to honor this award with continuing to grow the game.”
Cartwright is in his 17th season as head coach of the men’s golf program, which was resurrected in 2000 and coached by Tom Moos for one year. He also served 12 seasons as the women’s golf head coach from 2003-15. A two-time Big West Conference Coach of the Year, Cartwright has guided the Cal Poly men’s team to the NCAA West Regional twice and individuals in three other regionals. Cartwright guided the Mustang men’s program to its first Big West Conference championship in 2006. He also coached former Mustang standout Travis Bertoni to 11 career wins, including the Big West individual title in 2005. In 2011 Cartwright guided Geoff Gonzalez to qualify individually for the NCAA finals, a first for Cal Poly.
Outside of Cal Poly’s success on the golf course, Cartwright has raised $15 million to endow the Cal Poly golf program. He has been in charge of development of golf facilities, oversees golfers academic progress and directed the team’s overall strength program. For eight straight years Cal Poly has received a perfect 1000% APR recognition from the NCAA.
Cartwright played collegiately at Cal State Fullerton and graduated in 1981 with a major in physical education and a minor in business. Prior to his coaching career at Cal Poly, Cartwright was head golf professional and director of golf at San Luis Obispo Country Club. While there he was involved in the total greens reconstruction, total cart path redesign and construction, course redesign and total clubhouse construction. Before his stint at San Luis Obispo Country Club he was head professional at Mountain View Country Club.
Cartwright founded and was director of San Luis Obispo County Junior Golf. He developed the group’s Junior Golf Olympic Program which evolved into Drive, Chip and Putt. Cartwright also developed team play tournaments for the five PGA chapter junior golf associations He also served as head coach at San Luis Obispo High School. For his contributions he was named Junior Golf Leader of the Year for the Southern California PGA Section in 1997.
Cartwright has twice qualified for the National Club Professional Championship. In 2002 he won the Southern California Section Match Play Championship and captured the Northern Chapter’s championship in 2009. Twice Cartwright was named the Northern Chapter’s Golf Professional of the Year.Also active in the community, Cartwright serves as a youth basketball coach for the YMCA and soccer coach and referee for AYSO. Previously he served as vice president of San Luis Obispo Youth Baseball. Cartwright is the youth group leader for the San Luis Obispo Church of the Nazarene. He is also involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, Birdie for the Brave, Birdies for Breast Cancer and Folds of Honor.
Scott and his wife Cheryl have two children.
Cartwright follows in the footsteps of past Labron Harris Award recipients Jay Hardwick (Virginia Tech/Middle Atlantic PGA Section), Devon Brouse (Purdue/Indiana PGA Section), the late Rod Myers (Duke/Carolina PGA Section), Herb Page (Kent State/Northern Ohio PGA Section), Jim Brown (Ohio State/Southern Ohio PGA Section), Pat Owen (U.S. Naval Academy/Middle Atlantic PGA Section), Rick Pohle (Williams College/ Northeastern New York PGA Section), John Bermel (Northern Iowa/Iowa PGA Section), Pat Goss (Northwestern/Illinois PGA Section), Mike Small (Illinois/Illinois PGA Section), Mike Mayer (Indiana/Indiana PGA Section), Puggy Blackmon (South Carolina/Carolinas PGA Section) and Harry Hammond (West Chester/Philadelphia PGA Section).

NORMAN, Okla. – The GCAA will induct four coaches - Dr. Garland Allen of Gardner-Webb, Paul Chavez of Odessa College, West Florida’s Steve Fell, and Conrad Ray of Stanford - along with Golfstat founder Mark Laesch in its 2017 Hall of Fame Class. Allen and Laesch will be honored posthumously. The group will be officially inducted at the GCAA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Banquet Monday, Dec. 11 in Las Vegas.
Allen began his tenure at Gardner-Webb in 1961 when the institution was still a junior college. During his first year, he served as an academic counselor. He taught history in 1961 and 1962 and served as the acting chairman of the religion department from 1962-64. He began his 27-year golf coaching career in 1962, a post he maintained until his retirement from the university in 1989. He directed the golf program to nine appearances in the NAIA National Tournament. The crowning moment came during when Gardner-Webb captured back-to-back NAIA National Championships in 1976 and ‘77. Allen was honored as NAIA Coach of the Year in 1976 and 1977, and was inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame on Nov. 6, 1993. Also a professor emeritus of religion and history, Allen retired from Gardner-Webb in 1989. Soon after his retirement, the Garland H. Allen Golf Scholarship was established by the Gardner-Webb Bulldog Club in his honor.
Chavez is in his 21st year at the helm of the Odessa College golf program. The Wranglers won back-to-back national championships in 2004 and 2005, and again in 2017. He was named 2017 NJCAA National Coach of the Year, his fifth time to win the honor. Under Chavez, Odessa has won 145 team championships, including nine NJCAA Region V Championships, 10 NJCAA Texas State Championships, and 10 WJCAC Conference Championships. During his tenure the Wranglers have finished in the top five nationally 13 times and have produced 29 NJCAA All-Americans, 21 PING All-Americans, 50 NJCAA All-Region, 40 NJCAA All-State, and 66 WJCAC All-Conference performers. In all 73 student-athletes have transferred to four-year institutions.
Chavez is also involved away from the course. He recently served on the NJCAA Golf Poll (Div. 1) committee and is a Past President of the NJCAA Coaches Association and was instrumental in the implementation of the Golfstat scoring system for NJCAA Golf. He also serves on the Golf Advisory Board for Ratliff Ranch Golf Links, Texas Junior Golf Tour Advisory Board member, current President of Permian High School Boys Golf Booster Club, Upward Basketball Coach, and has been the guest speaker at several engagements along with being involved with many church and community activities.
Fell took over as head coach of the West Florida men’s golf team in 1994 as it began its transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference. Prior to the 2011-12 season, Fell was also named director of golf at UWF, overseeing both the men’s and women’s programs. The Argonauts won NCAA Division II national championships in 2001 and 2008 and have been a national and regional power every year under Fell’s watch. In 2016-17, the Argonauts won a school-record eight tournaments, including their fourth NCAA Regional, before advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship. UWF also has claimed 15 GSC titles, the most among active league schools. Fell, a 14-time GSC Coach of the Year and two-time Dave Williams National Coach of the Year Award presented by Golf Pride, has tallied 73 career tournament wins, averaging three wins per season. In the summer of 2010, Fell was also named the GSC Coach of the Decade. He has coached 40 PING All-Americans at UWF, and 72 have earned All-GSC honors.
Laesch founded Golfstat in 1984. He began by selling his service to local college Illinois State before his statistical program changed college golf. Golfstat’s statistical database aggregated results from every tournament at every level of college golf. The NCAA Golf Committees for the past 28 years have used Golfstat’s data to select teams for postseason competition and worked with Laesch to develop a team and individual ranking. Golfstat revolutionized how teams and college golf fans followed the sport when it began its live scoring service. An ardent supporter of the GCAA, Laesch provided Golfstat’s services to GCAA award and Arnold Palmer Cup committees for selection purposes and helped the Association develop the Arnold Palmer Cup Individual Ranking. The GCAA and WGCA present the Mark Laesch Award, presented to the team that showed the greatest improvement from the previous season in adjusted stroke average, in his honor.
Ray, a former Cardinal standout student-athlete, is Stanford’s Knowles Family Director of Men’s Golf. The 2017-18 season marks his 13th on The Farm. During his tenure as head coach, Ray has led the Cardinal to 11 appearances in the NCAA Championships, including the school’s eighth national title in 2007. Stanford has won three Pac-12 Championships and four NCAA regional crowns under his direction. Ray was the 2007 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year presented by Golf Pride recipient and a two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year. Stanford student-athletes have been well decorated under Ray’s watch, as he has helped produce two Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Barbasol recipients, two Ben Hogan Award presented by Konica Minolta winners and a Byron Nelson Award presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf honoree. Cardinal golfers have earned 27 PING All-America, 21 Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar, four Pac-12 Players of the Year, three Pac-12 Scholar-Athletes of the Year, three Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and 18 All-Pac-12 first team selections. Additionally, Ray coached the 2008 United States Arnold Palmer Cup team and five Stanford golfers have represented their country in the event during his tenure.
Ray has also been an active member of the GCAA. Currently the Association’s Past President, he has been a member of the National Advisory Board since 2006. He has additionally served on the Arnold Palmer Cup player and coach selection committees, as well as selection committees for he David Toms and Labron Harris Awards. Ray has also served on the GCAA Nomination Committee and USGA College Relations Committee. A 2011 inductee into the Northern California Golf Hall of Fame, Ray hosts Sirius/XM radio program GolfU.

NORMAN, Okla. – The 24 honorees for the 2017 All-Nicklaus Team presented by Barbasol have been announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Players from Divisions I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA were recognized for their outstanding play during the 2016-17 collegiate season.
The All-Nicklaus Team was created in 2008, and is not only named for history’s greatest player but also a long-time supporter of collegiate and amateur golf. Jack Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at The Ohio State University, helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988 and it is now presented to the National Player of the year in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as NAIA and NJCAA. Nicklaus Award recipients have combined for over 200 victories worldwide and claimed 22 major championships.
The All-Nicklaus team is comprised of Chandler Blanchet of West Florida, Odessa’s Adam Blomme, Sam Burns of LSU, Oregon’s Wyndham Clark, John Coultas and John VanDerLaan of Florida Southern, Berry’s Ryan Elmore, Rupert Kaminski of Oklahoma City, Huntingdon’s Addison Lambeth, Logan Lanier of LaGrange, Dalton State’s SM Lee, Rowan Lester of Texas Wesleyan, Marco Maldonado of Tyler JC, Nova Southeastern’s Richard Mansell, Patrick Martin of Vanderbilt, Stanford’s Maverick McNealy, Collin Morikawa of California, UNLV’s John Oda, Indian Hills Ricky Sanders, Jimmy Stanger of Virginia, Braden Thornberry of Ole Miss, Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Colin Troxler, and Wake Forest’s Will Zalatoris.
About Barbasol:Barbasol ® is America’s #1 brand of shaving cream. For nearly 100 years, generations of men have trusted Barbasol for a close, comfortable shave. The premium formula is available in 6 varieties. Barbasol is also proud to offer NEW Premium Disposable Razors in multiple blade counts including 6-Blade, 3-Blade and Twin Blade! Barbasol Shaving Cream and Barbasol Premium Disposable Razors are available at retailers nationwide. For more information, visit Barbasol.com or follow @BarbasolShave on Twitter and Instagram. Barbasol is owned by Dublin, Ohio-based Perio Inc.
2017 All-Nicklaus Team presented by BarbasolChandler Blanchet, West FloridaAdam Blomme, OdessaSam Burns, LSUWyndham Clark, OregonJohn Coultas, Florida SouthernRyan Elmore, BerryRupert Kaminski, Oklahoma CityAddison Lambeth, HuntingdonLogan Lanier, LaGrangeSM Lee, Dalton StateRowan Lester, Texas WesleyanMarco Maldonado, Tyler JCRichard Mansell, Nova SoutheasternPatrick Martin, VanderbiltMaverick McNealy, StanfordDylan Meyer, IllinoisCollin Morikawa, CaliforniaJohn Oda, UNLVRicky Sanders, Indian HillsJimmy Stanger, VirginiaBraden Thornberry, Ole MissColin Troxler, Mississippi Gulf CoastJohn VanDerLaan, Florida SouthernWill Zalatoris, Wake Forest

DUBLIN, Ohio – Sam Burns of LSU, West Florida’s Chandler Blanchet, Logan Lanier of LaGrange, Dalton State’s SM Lee, and Tyler JC’s Marco Maldonado have been named the 2017 recipients of the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Barbasol. The Nicklaus Award recognizes the top players at the Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA levels.
In addition to receiving the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award, the five recipients will compete in the Barbasol Shootout for an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s Barbasol Championship, held July 20-23, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika, Ala. The Barbasol Shootout will be held Saturday, June 3 and tee off at 1:30 pm at the storied Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio - the same club where Jack Nicklaus first learned the game of golf as a young boy.
Mr. Nicklaus will recognize the Nicklaus Award recipients the following day at 10 am during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
“We are honored to sponsor the Jack Nicklaus Award and to offer the Barbasol Shootout winner an exemption into the Barbasol Championship.” said Tom Murray, CEO of Perio Inc., the parent company of Barbasol. “To earn the exemption, regardless of Division, offers a unique and life-changing opportunity to play in a PGA TOUR event.”
Burns, the Division I Nicklaus Award recipient, will also receive an exemption to the following year’s Memorial Tournament.
Division I: A sophomore from Shreveport, La., Burns posted four victories this season, including the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional. He had two additional runner-up finishes and only placed outside the top nine once in 15 events. The SEC Player of the Year, Burns smashed LSU’s single-season scoring record with a 70.04 stroke average in 43 competitive rounds played on the season. The PING First-Team All-America selection was previously named to represent the United States in the Arnold Palmer Cup.
Division II: A junior from Gainesville, Fla., Blanchet produced seven tournament victories this season, including a final-round come-from-behind victory at the NCAA Division II National Championships. He had three additional top three finishes in his 11 events. He was a unanimous selection as Gulf South Conference Golfer of the Year. The current leader in all divisions in the Golfstat Cup, which measures adjusted stroke average at 68.71, Blanchet has posted 20 of his 31 rounds in the 60s and 26 round at par or better.
Division III: Lanier was a PING First-Team All-America selection. He also earned Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar honors. This season, he finished in the top five in nine of 10 tournaments. In addition to winning the USA South Tournament, Lanier tied for first at the Royal Lakes/Oglethorpe Fall Invitational. He graduated cum laude, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Mathematics. He received the school’s Eagle Award which is given to the top male and female student athlete. Lanier was a tutor in mathematics and a volunteer for the Our Daily Bread food program in LaGrange.
NAIA: A native of Buford, Ga., Lee won four tournaments this season, including his first career event and the Southern States Athletic Conference. His worst finish in 10 events was tied for sixth. The Southern States Athletics Conference Player and Freshman of the Year, Lee was also recipient of the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award for NAIA. He was the best ranked NAIA player in the Golfstat Cup rankings. He earned PING First-Team All-America honors.
NJCAA: Maldonado has posted six victories this season, the Al Jones Memorial Invitational, Tyler JC Spring Invitational, Pinecrest Intercollegiate, Hal Sutton Intercollegiate, NJCAA Southwest Championship and the NJCAA District F Championship. He had three additional top 10 finishes. Maldonado placed in the top 20 in all 11 of 12 events. A PING First-Team All-America selection, he finished the year ranked first in the NJCAA Division II Golfstat rankings.
Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at The Ohio State University, helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988 and it is now presented to the National Player of the year in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as NAIA and NJCAA. Winners of the Nicklaus Award include Tiger Woods (1996), Phil Mickelson (1990-92), David Duval (1993), Justin Leonard (1994), Stewart Cink (1995), Luke Donald (1999), Hunter Mahan (2003), Bill Haas (2004), Ryan Moore (2005), Justin Thomas (2012) and Jon Rahm (2016) among many others. Award recipients have combined for over 200 victories worldwide and claimed 22 major championships.
About Barbasol:Barbasol ® is America’s #1 brand of shaving cream. For nearly 100 years, generations of men have trusted Barbasol for a close, comfortable shave. The premium formula is available in 6 varieties. Barbasol is also proud to offer NEW Premium Disposable Razors in multiple blade counts including 6-Blade, 3-Blade and Twin Blade! Barbasol Shaving Cream and Barbasol Premium Disposable Razors are available at retailers nationwide. For more information, visit Barbasol.com or follow @BarbasolShave on Twitter and Instagram. Barbasol is owned by Dublin, Ohio-based Perio Inc.